The Election of Minnesota’s First Episcopal Bishop Page 11

Fall 2007 Volume 42, Number 3

The Other Clara Baldwin and the Public Movement in Minnesota — Page 4

Clara F. Baldwin in 1936, shortly before her retirement from her position as the director of the Division of in the Minnesota Department of Education. She was a long-time leader in the movement in Minnesota whose career is profiled in this issue. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society. RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY Executive Director RAMSEY COUNTY Priscilla Farnham Founding Editor (1964–2006) Virginia Brainard Kunz Editor Hıstory John M. Lindley Volume 42, Number 3 Fall 2007 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY the mission statement of the ramsey county historical society BOARD OF DIRECTORS adopted by the board of directors in July 2003: Howard Guthmann Chair The Ramsey County Historical Society shall discover, collect, W. Andrew Boss preserve and interpret the history of the county for the general public, President recreate the historical context in which we live and work, and make Judith Frost Lewis First Vice President available the historical resources of the county. The Society’s major Paul A. Verret responsibility is its stewardship over this history. Second Vice President Joan Higinbotham Secretary C O N T E N T S J. Scott Hutton Treasurer Thomas H. Boyd, Norlin Boyum, Julie 3 Letters Brady, Carolyn J. Brusseau, Anne Cowie, 4 The Other Librarian Nancy Randall Dana, Charlton Dietz, Joanne A. Englund, Robert F. Garland, John Clara Baldwin and the Public Library Movement in Minnesota Holman, George A. Mairs, Laurie Murphy, Robert F. Garland Richard H. Nichol­son, Marla Ordway, Sally D. Patterson, Marvin J. Pertzik, Jay 11 Creating a Diocese Pfaender, Ralph Thrane, David Thune, Richard Wilhoit. The Election of Minnesota’s First Episcopal Bishop Richard T. Murphy Sr. Anne Beiser Allen Director Emeritus 16 Growing Up in St. Paul EDITORIAL BOARD Frogtown’s Arundel Street Anne Cowie, chair, James B. Bell, John Diers, Thomas H. Boyd, Laurie Murphy, Richard H. James R. Brown Nicholson, Paul D. Nelson, Jay Pfaender, David Riehle, G. Richard Slade, Steve Trimble, 24 Roseville’s “Lost Son” Honored Mary Lethert Wingerd. John M. Lindley HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD 25 Book Reviews Olivia I. Dodge, William Fallon, William Finney, Robert S. Hess, George Latimer, Joseph S. Micallef, Robert Mirick, Marvin J. Pertzik, James Reagan, Rosalie E. Wahl, Publication of Ramsey County History is supported in part by a gift from Donald D. Wozniak. Clara M. Claussen and Frieda H. Claussen in memory of Henry H. Cowie Jr. RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS and by a contribution from the late Reuel D. Harmon Commissioner Tony Bennett, chair Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt Commissioner Toni Carter Commissioner Rafael Ortega Commissioner Janice Rettman Commissioner Jan Parker A Message from the Editorial Board Commissioner Jim McDonough David Twa, manager, Ramsey County he theme for this issue is the creativity of diverse Ramsey county residents as they responded to change. TBob Garland adds an important chapter to Minnesota women’s history with his account of Clara F. Baldwin, Ramsey County History is published quarterly who headed the drive to build a library system in greater Minnesota as its population grew. From the time she by the Ramsey County Historical Society, 323 Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth Street, St. graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1892, Baldwin worked to make books accessible to all Minne­ Paul, Minn. 55102 (651-222-0701). Printed in sotans. As state librarian from 1900 to 1936, she first oversaw the development of traveling libraries, then a U.S.A. Copy­right 2007, Ramsey­ County His­ comprehensive system of local libraries. James Brown follows an earlier article for this magazine with more torical Society.­ ISSN Number 0485-9758. All lively reminiscences of growing up in the 1920s and ’30s in Frogtown, which was then a vital neighborhood rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced near the state capitol that included African-American residents. His early relationships and activities, followed without written permission from the pub- by his education on racism at the neighborhood barbershop, make a compelling read. And Anne Beiser Allen lisher. The Society assumes no responsibility tells the intriguing story of Rev. Henry B. Whipple’s election as the first Episcopal bishop of Minnesota in for statements­ made by contributors. Fax 651- 1859, as that denomination was expanding in the new state. We hope you enjoy reading it all. 223-8539; ­e-mail address [email protected].; web site address www.rchs.com Anne Cowie Chair, Editorial Board

2 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY The Other Librarian Clara Baldwin and the Public Library Movement in Minnesota Robert F. Garland “. . . . marveled, not for the first time, at the untiring conscientiousness with a B.L. degree, and shortly thereafter of administrative women. Nobody’s interests ever seemed to be over- rejoined Gratia as a clerk or cataloger at 3 looked or forgotten, and an endless goodwill made up for a perennial the Minneapolis Public Library. There, they and others were collectively known scarcity of funds.” 1 as “the library girls.” Dorothy L. Sayers In 1896, Clara and Gratia received enough vacation or unpaid leave to join ost readers would agree that advancing women’s causes at the univer- two other young women (both, curi- Minnesota’s most prominent sity, and for this end, they settled on the ously enough, also named Clara) on a Mlibrarian has been the redoubt- somewhat surprising vehicle of military bicycling trip through England and Scot- able Gratia A. Countryman, long-time drill for women students. In 1889, they land. We have no direct record of Clara’s head of the Minneapolis public library formed the Company Q drill group, of experiences on that trip, but Gratia’s system. Biographer Jane Pejsa has admi- which Clara was elected first sergeant. ­voluminous letters to her family have rably chronicled Gratia’s life in her de- The next year, she was captain.2 Clara been preserved. Two give interesting in- tailed account, Gratia Countryman: Her graduated from the university in 1892, sights of Clara Baldwin. From one, we Life, Her Loves, and Her Library. Living and working in Ramsey County, however, there was another librarian, almost equally as important to the Min- nesota library movement. This was Miss Countryman’s life-long colleague, Clara Frances Baldwin, state librarian from 1900 to 1936, and the prime, continuing force in the building of the library system in greater Minnesota. Clara Baldwin, the daughter of Benja- min and Ann Baldwin, was born in Lake City, Minnesota, in March 1871. Her family moved to St. Paul in 1874, where her father, a surveyor, was clerk and later chief clerk in the office of the U.S. Sur- veyor General. Thereafter, except for a brief period of education and initial em- ployment in Minneapolis, Clara always lived and worked in St. Paul. Clara’s family lived at 681 Holly Av- enue (then known, at first, as Yale Street), near the corner of St. Albans Street. She graduated from the St. Paul High School in 1887. Next, Clara enrolled in the University of Minnesota. There, in 1888 when pledg- ing the Delta Gamma Sorority, Clara met her life-long friend, coworker, and some- Clara Baldwin, age 24, in 1895. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1892 with a times sponsor and mentor, Gratia Coun- degree in . Her first job was at the Minneapolis Public Library. Photo courtesy of tryman. They found they shared goals in the Minnesota Historical Society.

4 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY learn that, although she is remembered as The Commission met November 18, posed the idea for Minnesota. Legislation a woman of average size, she had unusu- 1899, to select its first employee. There to accomplish this was introduced in 1895 ally small and narrow feet and had great were three candidates for the position of and 1897, failing both times. Demonstra- difficulty in buying shoes in England.4 librarian. Clara Baldwin was selected at a tions of the system were started in Hen- Shoe stores there were compared unfa- salary of $900.00 per year.8 nepin County, and in the cities of Duluth, vorably to those in Minnesota. Clara basically continued in the same Rochester, and Mankato. Thus, when in From the second letter, it’s apparent position throughout her working life, 1899 this legislative proposal finally be- that Clara already had the toughness that although her responsibilities and staff came law, there was already evidence of would stand her in good stead throughout expanded considerably over time. Her success, and later, these libraries were her life. The return steamship trip to the office quarters, however, were not so added to the state system.11 United States was extremely rough. All continuous. She and her staff were suc- Most of the initial year’s appropria- four young women were very seasick cessively housed in the Minneapolis tion of $5,000 was spent for books and and three of them were confined to their Masonic temple, the new State Capi- the metal boxes used to ship them. Cir- cabin. Clara Baldwin, however, “crawled tol Building, the basement of the new culars were issued outlining the plan of out on deck every morning.”5 Minnesota Historical Society Building traveling libraries, followed by a few ar- (1918), and, finally in the new State Of- ticles in magazines such as The Farmer Minnesota Library fice Building. and Farmer’s Annual. Response was very Commission and the In 1919, the Minnesota Library Com- strong and casts interesting sidelights on Division of Libraries of mission ended its work, and Clara’s of- rural Minnesota of that time. Groups of the State Department fice became the Division of Libraries of citizens had to organize a library associa- of Education the Department of Education. The Com- tion, then the organizers all had to sign In Minnesota, by the year 1900, the best mission supported this change.9 Clara did an application, pay a deposit of $1.00, efforts of individuals, associations of also, stating that it was a step forward promise to make the books readily avail- citizens such as women’s clubs, and local because it recognized libraries as part of able without charge, and return them governments had led to the establish- the state educational system.10 Clara’s within six months. ment of only thirty public libraries, five title became Director of the Division of Applicants obviously felt they had to association libraries, and fourteen paid- Libraries, the position she held until she present a good impression to the officials subscription libraries. Moreover, many retired in 1936. in St. Paul. Sincerity and a strong inter- counties, and most small towns and rural est in reading were very apparent. Indeed, areas had no library service at all. Dur- Traveling Libraries two competing groups in the town of ing the 1890s, private and state legisla- In 1892 the State of had estab- Fulda both applied for traveling libraries tive initiatives attempted to improve this lished a system of traveling libraries, and and had to be refused “until they settled situation. Clara, with others, was active the next year, Gratia Countryman pro- their disputes.”12 Eden Prairie said they in the movement, speaking to women’s clubs and other local organizations.6 Fi- nally, in 1899, the state legislature passed a law providing for a system of traveling libraries and creating a State Public Li- brary Commission, three of whose mem- bers were ex-officio. The governor was to appoint two additional members. The first commissioners were Cyrus Northrup, who was then president of the University of Minnesota; John H. Lewis, who was the state superintendent of pub- lic instruction; and Warren Upham, who was the secretary of the Minnesota His- torical Society. The governor’s two ad- ditional appointees were Margaret Evans, the dean of women at Carleton College, and Gratia Countryman, librarian of the Minneapolis Public Library. The Com- mission’s charge was to encourage the establishment of free libraries in the state A preprinted Minnesota Traveling Library notice card that local used to alert mem- and to make good books accessible to all bers of their community where and when they could obtain library books. Photo courtesy of the residents of the state.7 Minnesota Historical Society.

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 5 represented a “very intelligent class of farmers.” Some applications included a description of the ethnic makeup of the community, for example as ”Germans and Americans,” or “Americans and foreign- ers.” Heron Lake and others explained that usage would vary, as they would have more time to read in the winter. In one case, the newly formed local library asso- ciation obviously saw the traveling library as a solution to a local concern. In its ap- plication, the town of Morgan, Minnesota, wrote that the library was needed because “the saloon element was quite strong.” The libraries were kept in a variety of places. Examples were the home of the local librarian, a cigar and confection- ary store, and a local telephone company. Sometimes the community already had a public library building, and the traveling This photo of the in Little Falls, Minnesota, was taken in 1914. In the first library was kept there.13 decade of the twentieth century, industrial magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie Within about a year 120 libraries, of donated eight public library buildings to towns and cities in Minnesota. Photo courtesy of the 25 or 50 books, were in circulation. The Minnesota Historical Society. early libraries included books for general reading on a variety of subjects, fiction and non-fiction, with another selection of you considered the matter at all? If you Minneapolis. These finally proved to be a several books on a specific topic useful could get your mill tax from the town, traveling library shipped from Gully, Min- for study clubs.14 The Library Commis- there is no reason why you could not soon nesota, two years before. The library never sion always tried to purchase books “in- have a nice little library of your own. Of reached the Commission and no one in state” if prices were competitive.15 The course, the State would still send you Gully answered Clara’s tracing letters.18 St. Paul Book and Stationery Company the traveling library, which would prac- In spite of such occasional vicissi- appears to have been the largest supplier. tically give you fifty new books every tudes, the traveling library system was a Clara ordered books “on approval,” and six months, and so keep up the interest resounding success. By 1919, there were many were returned for credit.16 if you were not able to buy many books. 628 traveling libraries with over 30,000 Clara was continuously interacting You don’t know how encouraging it is to volumes consisting of fixed libraries with the local library associations and li- us to have the libraries come in with such for general reading by adults and chil- brarians. Her 1900 letter to the Farming- a fine report as yours, and we feel the dren, agricultural books for farmers, and ton librarian is typical. She wrote: deepest interest in your having still larger groups of foreign books.19 “I have shipped to you today, via opportunities. Yours very truly, Clara F. Clara had worked hard, and Minne- C. M. & St. P. Ry, freight pre-paid, Li- Baldwin, Librarian.”17 sota’s “library movement” was on the brary No. 2. I enclose the key in this Not all the books traveled long dis- move! Long before, in April 1901, the letter, also the blank secretary’s report, tances. In 1915, Clara exchanged letters Commission hired an assistant for her, which must be filled out when the library with a woman whose address was “St. so that she could spend more time on is returned. You will find fifty catalogs in Paul,” but who said she actually lived cooperative work, the librarian’s summer the box for which I hold you responsible outside the city limits and was thus ineli- school, and assistance to new libraries.20 as before. I need give you no further in- gible to use the city library. Clara offered For Clara herself, all this nearly came structions, as everything was so perfectly to mail her books from the traveling li- to a premature conclusion, however. On kept with your other library, that I am brary if she would pay the postage or ar- a very windy day of one of the summers sure you understand all our regulations. I range to have them picked up. of the first decade of the twentieth cen- want to congratulate you on your circu- Virtually all of the shipment and return tury, she nearly drowned in a White Bear lation. It was the largest yet reported, and of traveling libraries was by rail, however, Lake sailboat accident. Clara had joined is a splendid showing. Fifty books circu- and things did not always work smoothly. her brother-in-law, Henry Merrill, and his lated 547 times in six months. You ought Once, Clara found herself confronted brother, in an attempt to sail The ­Kewaydin to brag a little in your local papers, and with a letter from the agent of the Min- from Tenth Street over to Lake Shore. see if you can’t stir up interest enough to neapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Sainte Marie The sailors lost control of the boat in the have a reading room of your own. Have Railway, about a box of books found in high winds, and it capsized. They clung

6 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY to the overturned hull, but the same high in Deerwood, giving advice on how to winds made it very difficult for other sail- catalog their library, and what supplies boats to reach the victims. Finally, help would be needed. She also offered the arrived, but the three were exhausted and services of her organizer, saying there stiff with cold. The next day’s Pioneer would be no charge for her services, Press or Dispatch ended its report of the but adding that she would be grateful accident with the sentence, “Neither of if the librarian would “provide for the the Messrs. Merrill were at work today.” organizer’s enter­tainment while she is in The newspaper account was silent in re- Deerwood.”24 She doesn’t say what sorts gard to Clara Baldwin, and perhaps we of entertainment she thought might be may assume she was.21 available for the organizer in Deerwood at that time. Developing Local Libraries Other help could be given solely by Traveling libraries soon gave rise to what correspondence. For instance, Clara sent might almost be called “traveling librar- the librarian at Fairmont the plans for a ians,” as Clara and certain members of newspaper rack and suggested the type her office increasingly fanned out over of holder to purchase. She wrote the li- the state to support the development of brarian at Owatonna recommending a local libraries. State law authorized a speaker on Russia. The librarian at St. one-mill property tax for library support Peter received advice as to which ency- where there was no local, tax-supported clopedia should be purchased, and the library. The funds thus raised could be librarian at Sauk Center was told which Clara Baldwin in 1915. Photo courtesy of the used as a “buy-in” to provide access to other nearby libraries employed assis- Minnesota Historical Society. another nearby library, or to support a tants to their librarians. The librarian new library. at Sleepy Eye learned how to classify a essary in Minnesota” was being crippled There already were more of these. By book by William James, and also what by the cut of its budget to $12,000 per 1903, ten more local library buildings should be done if the amount of overdue year.26 had appeared, eight donated by Andrew fines on a book exceeded the value of the Sometimes, Clara and the Commis- Carnegie, and two by other private citi- book itself. Clara suggested that the bor- sion had to work quietly behind the zens. The legislature increased the Com- rower should be allowed to keep it. scenes. In May 1915, she exchanged let- mission’s annual appropriation to $6,000 Some of this correspondence is more ters with a librarian in Pittsburgh about a per year, and Clara got a raise to $1,200 obscure. The librarian at Eveleth wrote newly graduated librarian who might be per year. Her staff was expanded so she Clara with the news that “Miss Jackson suitable for the school in South St. Paul. could spend more time helping these new has become engaged.” Clara’s reaction Clara explained the importance of that libraries. In the next year, she visited li- was that this was likely to improve rela- city, but also its complexity, as she hoped braries in Monticello, Marshall, Hastings, tions between the Eveleth library and the the might be opened to the Blue Earth, Pipestone, Minneota, and later local school library. How and why, she public. “The packing plant and the busi- Brainerd, Little Falls, Worthington, and does not say! ness portion is down by the river while Spring Valley. The legislature must have Clara was not above, once in a while, most of the residence district is scattered been pleased, for the annual appropriation taking a bureaucratic approach to local along the bluffs, which is not an easy increased to $12,500 per year by 1907, and situations. She wrote to Fairmont, “I am problem by any means, and will require a Clara’s salary rose to $1,800 per year.22 glad to know that you have money to person with a good deal of tact and abil- Virtually all this travel was by rail- spend, which is an unusual situation for ity.” She showed insight by adding that road, and wasn’t always very convenient. a Minnesota Library. For pity sake spend “the superintendent, moreover is rather In 1915, Ortonville was opening its new it before the end of the year or the council independent and I think would rather like library. Clara had already offered the ser- will be treating you like the man with one to discover his own librarian.” She ended vices of her “organizer” (to set up the li- talent.”25 by suggesting that the librarian in Pitts- brary catalog and shelving) and had sent Money concerns of a different kind burgh write the superintendent directly.27 them sample programs for the opening were not infrequent within Clara’s own Occasionally, it seemed impossible to ceremony. In December, she was urged to office. In 1913, the Library Commission give help where it was needed. A new li- come to Ortonville for the opening. She had to vote to refer requests for help from brary was proposed for Pine Island, but wrote back, “If I can possibly get away school libraries to the Superintendent the architect’s plans were far too expen- from Graceville on the afternoon freight of Public Instruction because of lack of sive. Clara wrote a rather plaintive letter train, I will come down.”23 funds. In 1918, the Library Commission to a Mrs. Perkins saying, “As I have of- Other staffers traveled, too. Also, in told Governor J.J. Burnquist that its sup- fered my services to the board repeatedly 1915, Clara wrote the local librarian port of the “Americanization work so nec- I am somewhat at a loss to know what to

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 7 do. I wrote Mr. Cornwall in August, ask- ing him to send me a copy of the plans, but have had no reply. I really am very anxious to help them and wish they would call upon me.”28 At other times, help was obviously needed and doubtless was accepted. In April 1915, the St. Paul Public Library, then located in the Market House on Seventh Street, experienced a disastrous fire. Clara wrote the librarian, “As I have been away from the office most of the week I have not had an opportunity to express my sympathy and to assure you of our eagerness to do anything we pos- sibly can. Of course I am sure you know that what resources we have in the way of booklists and bibliographies are at your command. We also have a file of your class lists­—­1 to 7—­ ­which we shall be This newspaper photograph captures the destruction that the April 27, 1915, fire caused to very glad to return to you. In our maga- Market House, which was then the home of the St. Paul Public Library. Photo courtesy of the zine collection we have a good many Minnesota Historical Society. complete volumes of standard maga- zines. We should be very glad, indeed, to give these to your library if you care for Clara also conducted and taught sum- ings, or the state fair, or planned in differ- them. If you wish I can send you, a little mer institutes for the training of librarians. ent parts of the state to reduce travel. Li- later, a complete list of what we can fur- These continued for the first two or three brarians from all over the state managed nish. We are all filled with admiration decades of the twentieth century, some- to attend these institutes, including some with the splendid record you are making times scheduled in coordination with from places like St. Paul, North St. Paul, to resume the service so promptly.”29 Minnesota Education Association meet- and White Bear Lake, who didn’t have to go very far. Not all of those working as librarians had formal training. Topics in- cluded cataloging, shelving, and even the mending of damaged books. One wor- ried librarian interrupted one of the latter sessions, loudly complaining that what she really needed was help in not losing books. She said she was losing as many as three per year.30 Another of Clara’s tasks was what we would now call “managing the interface” with the regional library clubs and asso- ciations that were critical to the support of libraries and librarians in greater Min- nesota. She repeatedly visited the Lake Region Library Club meetings at places like Brainerd and Alexandria. She must have been a popular speaker, for she was favorably compared to another who was described as “too meek.” No one would have said that of Clara Baldwin. She also addressed many meetings of the Range Library Club at Eveleth, Hibbing, Marble, Coleraine, Buhl, and Chisholm.31 There were always extra tasks, whether A Traveling Library exhibit in 1925. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society. answering a request for statistics from

8 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY some other government office, writing one-mill property tax on all county prop- a busy rural librarian inquiring about a erty not already taxed for libraries. The suitable location for a traveling collection money raised could either be used to cre- of pictures, or seeking help from the Fed- ate a county library or to provide county eration of Women’s Clubs in obtaining residents with access to a nearby city pub- “carefully selected” books for the new lic library. Ramsey County was already State Reformatory for Women.32 doing this through the St. Paul Public Li- During World War I, there was even brary and contracts with rural schools.36 more work. In 1917, the American Li- In the 1930s, with budgetary difficul- brary Association mounted a campaign ties from the depression, Clara must have to raise $1,000,000 for libraries for sol- felt that times were changing. The files diers and sailors. Rather typically, Gra- show cuts in the Library Division budgets tia Countryman was regional chair, and and further savings when Clara omitted Clara was responsible for Minnesota. An travel that was still authorized. Questions initial goal of $8.00 per 100 residents of arose as to whether the traveling libraries each library community was proposed. were still needed.37 Clara immediately told the national di- Clara was sixty-five years old in rector that this was too high and would March 1936. Perhaps, she was not un- “frighten people off entirely.” The goal happy to retire. was reduced to $5.00. Even with that, the project had its Personal and Later Life difficulties. Some librarians reported a Though very business-like, Clara Bald- conflict with all the work being done for win was not without her playful side. A 1917 portrait of Gratia A. Countryman. Photo by Lee Brothers, Minnesota Historical the Red Cross. The librarian at Red Lake Over the years, she kept a small journal Society. Falls replied to Clara’s first letter by say- in connection with the traveling librar- ing that their population was largely for- ies. It was captioned: “How Would You eign and that it would be impossible to Like To Be the Reference Librarian Of A “We are thinking of giving a little play in interest them in contributing to soldiers’ Traveling Library?” Inside the cover, she our school and should be very glad to get libraries. Clara simply ignored this and wrote a poem: your help. We haven’t any suitable play sent the materials anyway. Once received, Suppose you sat at a desk piled high and don’t know where to get it. It is to be Red Lake Falls complied, saying that the With notes and letters and such, given not by the school children but by task now did not seem too hard. They ul- And looked around at your empty shelves the grown-ups, this time, and we are so timately raised $100. For the books you needed so much. few. I hope to get the three teachers of the The soldier’s libraries also needed district and one other girl; but can’t think books and Clara guided local libraries that we have another woman who has the Suppose every letter asked for some book in their book collection drives. Books chance to take part. Our men are a great You had sent out the previous mail, collected were sent directly to train- big farmer of 40, another smaller one of And every note was an urgent request ing camps at Camp Cody, New Mexico; the same age who is quiet, one somewhat To be sent “by next post without fail.” Camp Bowie, Texas; and Camp Robinson, younger and very active, a young quiet . boy and perhaps one or two more. None Suppose at the end of a long weary day There was still more to do for the war but our very active man has tried before. You still are trying to please, effort. As state librarian, Clara also had We prefer a short play.”38 There is no re- And as you open a new stack of mail the task of promoting nutrition and food cord of Clara’s response, but we may be You are met with such letters as these. conservation, guiding the local librarians sure that she tried. in the display of posters, and the prepara- A few, of many examples will suffice. Clara never married. She lived with her tion of exhibits. For instance, a St. Paul “Can you kindly give me some informa- parents until sometime just before 1910, exhibit promoted Christmas candies that tion on inventions? Is it true that the only and then in a series of apartments at 561 used very little sugar.33 article invented by woman is the ‘spoon’?” Laurel Avenue, 605 Portland Avenue, and Except for the war work, most of these “Please send us material on ‘launched but 679 Lincoln Avenue. In 1929, she moved library support activities continued on not anchored.’” “I have chosen as my to the home of her sister, Mabel Merrill, at into the 1920s and 1930s. The number of subject for an essay ‘Crowns of gold on 707 Goodrich Avenue, St. Paul. She lived local public libraries continued to grow, heads of bone.’ Please send me the mate- there for the rest of her life, surrounded reaching 153 in 191934 and 187 in 1935.35 rial at once.” “Please send material for de- by eight, appreciative, Twin Cities great By 1927, Clara saw the county library as bate; Resolved: That modern dress causes nieces and nephews, three of whom lived the long-term solution to the rural public more harm than tobacco.” “Please send in the same house with her. She was fre- library problem. The county could levy a me five cents worth of art.” And finally, quently available for driving outings,

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 9 shopping trips, and games. She delighted role in the work of public library commis- papers in the possession of Connie Mur- in getting library cards for these children, sions throughout the United States.”41 ray of Richfield, Minnesota; the reading to them, and always gave them Gratia Countryman gave the tribute of the Ramsey County Historical Society; books for birthdays and Christmas. at Clara’s funeral. Gratia read, in part, and especially the archives of the Minne- After her retirement in 1936, Clara “Minnesota, too, has lost a valued pioneer sota Historical Society. also occupied her time with library asso- librarian who laid permanent foundations As to the latter, it should be noted that as ciation affairs, travel, and writing on li- upon which we will long be building. to the Minnesota Library Commission and brary topics. She was a member of Delta Clara Baldwin was the library movement, the early days of the Division of Libraries, Gamma, the Schubert Club, and the St. planning and directing it. Clara Baldwin, the detailed correspondence files appar- Paul Women’s City Club.39 almost single-handedly, and with pitifully ently survive only for the year 1915. These Clara’s great nieces and nephews re- limited means, directed the work of the are of great interest, but are probably only member her as a formidable woman. Minnesota Library Commission, a job of a representative sample of the original She is also remembered as a willing but pioneering in a wide undeveloped area.”42 papers describing the work being done erratic driver. She and her sister had a Robert Garland is a frequent contributor in those early days. While all researchers serious automobile accident in the mid- recognize that not every paper can be kept, 1940s, on the Kellogg Boulevard viaduct, to Ramsey County History and a member one wishes that a few more years of corre- in which she suffered a broken arm. of the Ramsey County Historical Society’s spondence files had also been given to the Clara suffered a severe stroke in June board of directors. A retired financial ex- 1949. Although she wrote Gratia Coun- ecutive and freelance writer, he is also the Minnesota Historical Society. tryman that she was “coming on well,”40 author of mystery novels, some of which Fortunately, the Library Commission’s this was not really the case, as she lived are set in St. Paul. The latest, Tradedown, Minute Book, kept in the personal hand- the rest of her life in a nursing home. appeared in 2006. writing of Gratia Countryman, certain Clara died March 8, 1951, one day short subject files, and the files containing the of her eightieth birthday. Acknowledgmentsand initial applications for the traveling li- Years after, in placing Clara on its Sources braries, and related correspondence, are National Advocacy Honor Roll, the This story of our great aunt is based in part still available. American Library Association, stated, on the personal recollections of some of Readers interested in another, though “Clara Baldwin’s pioneering work in her great nieces and nephews, including unpublished, essay on early Minnesota Minnesota extended library service to Connie Murray, Jean Murray, Don Gar- libraries, may wish to read “Free to All: citizens throughout the state through the land, and the author. I always wondered Minnesota’s Public Library Movement,” traveling library program and her work what a state librarian did. Now, I know. by Anna M. Rice, available at her family’s in promoting the establishment of local Other sources on Clara Baldwin in- website at http://www.section216.com/ public libraries. She is recognized for her clude certain Merrill and Baldwin family history/minlib.pdf.

Notes

1. Dorothy L. Sayers, Gaudy Night (New York: Avon Books, 15. November 1899 Minutes of the Minnesota Library Commis- 28. Correspondence Files, Minnesota Library Commission, 1936), 40. sion, Minnesota Historical Society. 1915, Minnesota Historical Society. 2. Jane Pejsa, Gratia Countryman: Her Life, Her Loves, and Her 16. Correspondence Files, Minnesota Library Commission, 29. Correspondence Files, Minnesota Library Commission, Library, (Minneapolis: Nodin Press, 1995), 69–73. 1915, Minnesota Historical Society. 1915, Minnesota Historical Society. 3. Pejsa, 91. 17. “History of Farmington Library,” Farmington Area Historical 30. Summer Institutes, Library Division Subject Files, 1922, 4. Gratia A. Countryman, letter, August 11, 1896, in the Gratia Society, 1999–2004. Minnesota Historical Society. A. Countryman and Family Papers, 1861–1953, Minnesota His- 18. Correspondence Files, Minnesota Library Commission, 31. Related Library Organizations, Library Division Subject torical Society, St. Paul, Minn. (hereinafter referred to as Coun- 1915, Minnesota Historical Society. Files, 1918–1926, Minnesota Historical Society. tryman Papers). 19. Minnesota Federation of Women’s Clubs, Library Extension 32. Library Extension Committee, Minnesota Federation of 5. Gratia A. Countryman, letter, September 22, 1896, Country- Committee, Library Division Subject Files, Minnesota Historical Women’s Clubs, Library Division Subject Files, 1919, Minne- man Papers, Minnesota Historical Society. Society. sota Historical Society. 6. Pejsa, 102. 20. Minutes of the Minnesota Library Commission, Minnesota 33. Wartime Concerns, Minnesota Library Commission, Minne- 7. Clara F. Baldwin, “The Public Library Movement in Minne- Historical Society. sota Historical Society. sota,” Minnesota Libraries (September 1946): 384. 21. Undated newspaper clipping, probably dating from 1915 to 34. Library Extension Committee, Minnesota Federation of 8. November 1899 Minutes of the Minnesota Library Commis- 1919, in the Merrill family papers in the possession of Connie Women’s Clubs, Library Division Subject Files, Minnesota His- sion, Minnesota Historical Society. Murray. torical Society. 9. December 1914 Minutes of the Minnesota Library Commis- 22. Minutes of the Minnesota Library Commission, Minnesota 35. Baldwin, “The Public Library Movement in Minnesota,” sion, Minnesota Historical Society. Historical Society. 398. 10. Minnesota Federation of Women’s Clubs, Library Extension 36. Clara F. Baldwin, “The County Library,” Minnesota Par- Committee, Library Division Subject Files, Minnesota Historical 23. Correspondence Files, Minnesota Library Commission, ent-Teacher (1927). Society. 1915, Minnesota Historical Society. 37. Library Division Budget File, Minnesota Historical Society. 11. Baldwin, “The Public Library Movement in Minnesota,” 24. Correspondence Files, Minnesota Library Commission, 385. 1915, Minnesota Historical Society. 38. Clara F. Baldwin, Journal, in possession of Connie Murray. 12. September 1902 Minutes of the Minnesota Library Commis- 25. Correspondence Files, Minnesota Library Commission, 39. Mary Dillon Foster, compiler, Who’s Who Among Minnesota sion, Minnesota Historical Society. 1915, Minnesota Historical Society. Women (St. Paul: M.D. Foster, 1924). 13. Traveling Library Application Forms, Minnesota Library 26. Minutes of the Minnesota Library Commission, Minnesota 40. Pejsa, 297. Commission, Minnesota Historical Society. Historical Society. 41. American Library Association, National Advocacy Honor 14. Baldwin, “The Public Library Movement in Minnesota,” 27. Correspondence Files, Minnesota Library Commission, Roll, 2000. 385. 1915, Minnesota Historical Society. 42. Minnesota Libraries (June 1951).

10 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY A postcard view from about 1909 showing the Carnegie Library in Spring Valley, Minnesota. For more on Clara F. Baldwin and her role in the Public Library movement in Minnesota, see Robert Garland’s article beginning on page 4. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

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